Reader-supported: this guide may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
The quick answer
- Cheapest way in: Char-Griller Akorn Jr. (about £229).
- Best small ceramic: Kamado Bono Minimo 15", with lots of accessories included.
- Best full-size value: Char-Griller Akorn (insulated steel, about £575).
- Best full-size ceramic under £1,000: Kamado Bono Media 20".
Premium kamados like Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe can cost well over £1,000 once you add a stand and accessories. If you want to try kamado cooking for less, there are good-value options in both steel and ceramic. New to kamados? Read are kamado grills worth it? first. Our picks are based on specs, prices and owner feedback rather than hands-on testing, and prices are from The Range at the time of writing.
Steel or ceramic?
| Insulated steel (e.g. Akorn) | Ceramic (e.g. Kamado Bono) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Heat retention | Good | Excellent |
| Weight | Lighter for the size | Very heavy |
| Durability | Won't crack, but can rust if uncovered | Won't rust, but can crack if dropped |
| Best for | Trying kamado cooking on a budget | Long-term, year-round cooking |
Which size do you need?
- 13–15 inch: couples, small gardens, or a portable second grill.
- 18–20 inch: most families. Fits a whole chicken or a pork shoulder comfortably.
- 22 inch and up: big groups and long cooks with lots of food.
Four good-value kamados
Several of these are sold by marketplace partners through The Range, and some are pre-order. Check delivery and warranty details on the listing.
Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado
Price at The Range: around £229 · Best for: Trying kamado cooking for less, or taking one camping
Why it's on the list
- The cheapest way into kamado-style cooking from a known brand
- Steel rather than ceramic, so it's lighter and won't crack if knocked
Worth knowing
- Small cooking area, best for two to four people
- Steel doesn't hold heat quite as well as thick ceramic
Kamado Bono Minimo 15" Ceramic
Price at The Range: around £400 · Best for: Small gardens and couples who want real ceramic
Why it's on the list
- Proper ceramic kamado with a 34cm cooking grate
- Comes with a stand, heat deflector, gasket, ash tool, grate gripper and cover, so there's little else to buy
Worth knowing
- Weighs about 40kg despite the small size
- Sold by a marketplace partner, and listed as pre-order at the time of writing
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
Price at The Range: around £575 · Best for: Families who want full-size kamado cooking without ceramic
Why it's on the list
- Triple-walled insulated steel, with a cast iron cooking grate
- 447 square inches of cooking space including the warming rack
- Listed temperature range of 90°C to 370°C, so it grills and smokes
- Wheels and an easy-dump ash pan
Worth knowing
- Steel bodies can rust if left uncovered, so use a cover
- About 40kg, and needs assembly
Kamado Bono Media 20" Ceramic
Price at The Range: around £799 · Best for: Keen cooks who want a full-size ceramic kamado
Why it's on the list
- A full-size ceramic kamado for well under the price of the premium brands
- Big enough for a family roast or a pork shoulder
Worth knowing
- Very heavy, so plan where it will live before you buy
- Check exactly what's included (stand, deflector, cover) on the listing
Extras you'll want
- Heat deflector: essential for low-and-slow smoking and roasting. Check whether one's included.
- Lumpwood charcoal: burns cleanly with little ash.
- Natural firelighters or a chimney starter: avoid lighter fluid, which can taint the flavour. See how to use a chimney starter.
- A cover: especially for steel kamados.
- A probe thermometer: see our beginner smoking tips.
Frequently asked questions
Are cheap kamados any good?
Budget kamados can cook very well, but often have thinner ceramic or steel, simpler vents and gaskets, and shorter warranties than premium brands.
Is the Char-Griller Akorn a real kamado?
It's a kamado-style grill made from insulated steel rather than ceramic. It works the same way, with top and bottom vents, and many owners use it to grill and smoke.
How heavy are ceramic kamados?
Even small ones can weigh around 40kg, and full-size models much more. Plan where it will live and use a wheeled stand.
Can I leave a kamado outside?
Yes, with a good cover. Keep the inside dry and check gaskets and bands each season.
Home cook, keen DIYer and long-time website builder, writing practical outdoor cooking guides for UK gardens. More about me.